Side panel for cribs



May 11 1926. l

. F. s. RECE l SIDE PANEL Fon cimas Filed April4 v', 1924 .A 7 1 ,f5-z f//f ljatented May 1i, i926.

unirse STATES FRANK S. RECE, 0F DALLAS, TEXAS.

SIDE PANEL FOR CRIBS.

Application filed April 7,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in side panels for cribs.

This invention has particularly to do with the type of childrens cribs which are mounted on wheels and adapted to be moved intol position along the side of the mothers bed or wheeled onto a porch or lawn or other places. Such cribs have' screened sides and a cover or side and end panels` which extend some distance above the mattress to prevent the infant or young child from falling or climbing from the crib. When the crib is used along side of a bed, it is necessary to lower the adjacent side panel and my invention has to do with such a panel. The object of the invention is to provide a side panel which may be quickly and easily manipulated so as to be raised or lowered and slid under the mattress support without unnecessary effort, and which will always' be in a convenient positionk to operate.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means in connection with the side panel for limiting the outward movement of the same and also for forming' a hinge when the panel is swung upwardly or downwardly.

A further object is to provide a pair of hinged trailing hooks on the lower edge of the panel co-acting withv supporting 'rails and keepers to limit the outward sliding movement of the panel and to hinge it to the bottom of the crib for swinging'.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following speci fcation and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig, 1 is a plan view of a crib equipped with a side panel made in accordance with my invention and slid under the mattress support, Y

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a similar view the side panel being raised,

Fig. 4 is a detail of the panel and the supporting` rail at one side, the hook being at the entrance to the inclined sump,

Fig. 5 is asimilar view showing the hook 1924, serial No. 704,816.

in engagement with the keeper and the. panel raised, and

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the panel at the outer en'd of its sliding movement just prior lto raising.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates the bottom frame of a crib with end vpanels 11 and a hinged side panel 12, some-V times called a backV panel. In the frame is fixed a mattress support 13. The frame is supported on wheels 14. These parts are typical and have no part in the invention.

My improved side panel 15 entirely closes one side of the crib and is sometimes referred to as the front panel. The end panels l1 may have angular strips 16 or other stops, on their inner sides to be engaged by the panel 15, whereby the latter is supported in an upright position in which it may be suitably fastened by means not shown Alllithin the frame 10 under the mattress support 13, I mount a pair of transverse rails 17 intersecting with a flat side bar 18. The rails may be secured to the ends of the frame. The side panel 15 slides on the rails 17 between said rails and the sup port 13. On the inner side of* the top mem ber of the panel are a pair of spaced finger recesses 19, whereby lthe panel may be grasped and manipulated.

On the inner side of the lower edge portion of panel and adjacent each end I provide a 'recess 20 in which a hinge plate 2l is fastened. At its inner or upper end the plate has ears 22 receiving a Vpintle 23 on which the eye -24 of a hook 25 is mounted. The hook is thus hinged in the recess. This hook has a reduced and elongated shank 26 and is preferably made of a fiat piece of metal bent upon itself to form the eye and further bent to form a down-turned bill 27 1When the panel is slid on the rails 17 the bills of the hooks ride on said rails as is indicated in Fig. 4. When the panel is pulled outward the bills slidev down inclined sumps 28 in the forward ends of the rails and come into engagement with the lips of angular keepers` 29, whereby the sliding and outward movement of the panel is arrested. The hooks become hinge links and the eyes 24 provide hinge connections with the plates 21, whereby the panel may be swung upwardly to the position shown in Fig, 3.

The trailing` of the hooks over the rails ered and slid under the support 13, the hooks owing to the under-bentbills 27, ride up the inclined sumps 29 and over the rails.`

The hooks may limit the inward sliding of the panel by engaging the rear side of the frame or suitable stops (not shown) may be used.

When it is desired to raise the side panel 15 it is merely necessary to place the fingers in the recesses 19 and pull the panel outwardly until the top member can be grasped. The panel being of light weight and :sliding freely is easily handled. The panelis pulled outwardly until the hooks f25 having ridden down the inclined sumps 28, engage the keepers 29; whereupon the said hooks func# tion as hinges permitting the panel to be swung up to the position shown in Fig. `3.

Vlien it is desired to lower the side panel 15 it is first swung outwardly and as it is swung downwardly its lower edge is pushed inwardly, which .starts the hooks up the inclined sumps. It will be noted :that there is suiicient space between the panel and the mattress support to allow this movement. When the panel Vhas been lowered to a horizontal position the sliding movement may be completed, 'the hooks riding out of the sumps and konto the rails 17.

The .success of the device resides in the freedom and lack of effort with which it may be operated as well as its simple and economical construction. By completely housing the side panel under Athe mattress support, it is out Aof the way so that the crib may be moved close .to the bed and without linterference from the side panel. VSome times these side panels are merely lowered and the baby must be lifted Vover the same or they are not properly housed.

Various .changes in the size and shape oit' the diferent parts, .as well as modifications and ,alterations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

VWhat I claim, is:

1. A hook .for .a slide-under panel Vfor a lcrib comprising an eye lpivotally mounted upon the panel, .and an outwardly bent b ill slidingly mounted upon a support and disposed .to interlock with a keeper `and pivot thereon.

.2. In a crib, the combination withv a support having a keeper, of aside panel, and a hook hinged to the ylower edge of the panel for sliding on the support away from the keeper when the 'panel is slid Vinto the crib lead-ing to the keeper, of a slidable and foldable side panel,l and a hook hinged to the lower edge of the panel in a position to slide down said inclined sump and engage said keeper to hinge the side panel.

4. In a crib, the vvcombination with a frame and a mattress support in the frame, of

guide rails under the support, .a side panel slidable on said rails under said mattress support, hooks hinged vto the lower edge of the panel.7 and keepers on the frame interlocking with said hooks to form a pivot for swinging fthe panel upward.

5. In a crib, the combination with a frame and a mattress support in the frame, of guide rails in the frame provided with inclined sumps, keepers at the upper outer ends of the sumps, a foldable and `slidable side panel, and hooks hinged to the Vvpane'l and having outwardly open bills trailing on the rails and in the .-sumps thereof to 'interlock with the Vkeepers to hinge the side anel.

6. In a crib, the combination wit a `frame and mattress support in the frame, of yguide rails in the frame provided with inclined sumps, inwardly extending keepers at the upward outer ends of the sumps, afold? able and slidable side panel, plates fastened to the panel, and hooks hinged to the plates and having under-turned 'bills sliding on ythe rails and interlocking with the keepers to hinge the side panel.

7. In a crib, the combination with a frame and mattress support in the frame, of guide rails in the frame provided with inclined sumps, inwardly extending keepers at the Lipper outer ends of the sumps, a foldable and slidable side panel, plates fastened to the panel, 'and hooks hinged to the plates and having under-turned bills sliding on the railsf and interlocking with the keepers, said hooks being projected beyond the frame to engage the frame and limiting the inward sliding movement o'f the side panel.

8. In a crib, the Icombi-nation with a support member, of a side panel member laorizontally slidable thereon, a `keeperupon one of said members, and a hook pivoted upon the other member to face said keeper Aand normally separated therefrom and disposed to interlock and hinge upon the keeper when the panel is slid outwardly.

lIn testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FRANK S. RECE. 

